Monday, April 30, 2007

On Tuesday I headed down to Leamington Town Hall for the launch of our Manifesto for the Warwick District Council elections to be held on Thursday May 3rd.

This sets out our vision for the district for the next four years, building on our legacy of jointly running one of Britain's top performing councils. Priorities include, helping to provide more affordable homes in the area, making our towns cleaner, greener, safer and promoting stronger communities. We would ensure that half of all new developments would be affordable homes, promote energy conservation and continued development of our world class leisure and culture.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Alan Boad said, "If you have a secure home, your children's educational achievements and your health will be better. If you mess up peoples start in life they will be doomed forever. This is the very foundation of a strong community."

I believe this manifesto presents an exciting vision for the future of Warwick District with some exciting projects in the pipeline to help support the newer creative industries that will help offset recent losses at Ford. Other proposals include further regeneration of the 'old town' in Leamington. You can read the manifesto in full here.

Friday, April 27, 2007

As I have a few rare free moments I thought I would share some experiences from our campaign in Clarendon. Clarendon is a very mixed ward right in the centre of Leamington spa in Warwickshire. We have everything from multi million mansions to student flats, our main shopping area, award winning parks, the river and we even have a farm on the edge of the ward.

Our response has been fantastic here! I have had people stopping their cars in side streets to talk to us and the only people who have told me not to waste my time have been our supporters who have assured me of their vote and told me to talk to someone else.

It is proving to be a great way of picking up on issues that are a priority to our neighbours, with vandalism and anti-social behaviour being a key issue. My running mate, Robert Cunliffe is chair of a neighbourhood watch in the area and he has already raised some of these issues with them and the safer neighbourhood panels.

So we are optimistic of success in a weeks time, tons more work to do and I am really enjoying it!